Pope Leo XIV reshuffles Pakistan’s Catholic leadership, reassigning Archbishop Sebastian Shaw to Quetta amid lingering accountability questions.
Newsroom (11/03/2026 Gaudium Press) The Vatican has reshuffled top Catholic leadership in Pakistan, naming Franciscan Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw as the new vicar apostolic of Quetta — more than a year after his removal from Lahore following allegations of abuse of power and financial misconduct.
The announcement, issued by the Holy See Press Office on March 10, also confirmed that Capuchin Bishop Khalid Rehmat, Shaw’s predecessor in Quetta, will become the new metropolitan archbishop of Lahore, in the populous Punjab province. Pope Leo XIV approved both appointments, which have sparked fresh debate among clergy and laity alike about transparency and accountability within the Church.
From Lahore to Quetta: A Return Under Scrutiny
Archbishop Shaw’s reappointment marks a controversial comeback. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization had removed him from the Lahore Archdiocese in August 2024, citing “some ongoing difficult situation.” His departure followed media reports and online allegations of embezzlement, property mismanagement, and the misuse of Church funds.
Shaw, born in 1957 in Sindh and ordained in 1991, had previously served as Lahore’s apostolic administrator and later as its metropolitan archbishop from 2013. His tenure was marked by both pastoral achievements and repeated disputes, including backlash in 2017 after allowing politician Maryam Nawaz to address a congregation in the cathedral during an election season, prompting a ban on political speeches on Church grounds.
Since his removal, Shaw had been living quietly at the Franciscan Friars Minor Custos house in Karachi, reportedly restricted from travel. A Church official told UCA News that his new role in Quetta is “effectively a demotion” but also “the next step in his rehabilitation.”
“Any progress in Balochistan, where Christians are scattered and under pressure, will be a miracle given his leadership record,” the official added.
Reaction of the Faithful: Hope and Hesitation
Father Qaiser Feroz, executive secretary of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s social communications commission, welcomed both appointments, describing them as “great choices.”
“We are very happy; both are great choices,” he told UCA News. “Archbishop Shaw brings years of experience to Quetta. It is a blessing, and his contribution will be integral for the vicariate.”
He expressed confidence that the incoming Archbishop-elect Khalid Rehmat — the youngest among Pakistani bishops — will “make a huge difference” in Lahore with his pastoral leadership and experience working in challenging regions such as Balochistan.
However, Catholic activist Rojar Randhawa, who had filed complaints against Shaw years before his removal, voiced unease over the Vatican’s decision. “Has justice truly been served, or does this move simply represent a change in positions without fully addressing the concerns that were raised?” he asked.
“For the healing and credibility of the Church, it is essential that matters of accountability are approached with honesty, clarity, and compassion. The faithful look forward to leadership that reflects the Gospel values of truth, humility, and responsibility,” Randhawa said.
A Shift in Leadership Dynamics
Archbishop-elect Khalid Rehmat, born in 1968 in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi diocese, is widely regarded as a dynamic and reform-minded cleric. A Capuchin priest since 2007, he gained prominence as editor of Catholic Naqeeb, Lahore’s diocesan magazine, and became Pakistan’s first Capuchin bishop in 2021.
Within the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, he has chaired the commissions for consecrated life and evangelization and represented the country at the global Synod on Synodality. His promotion to archbishop positions him as a central figure in efforts to restore confidence in Church administration.
The Road Ahead for the Church in Pakistan
Pakistan’s Catholic community — numbering roughly 3.3 million, with most living in Punjab — faces unique challenges. In contrast, remote Balochistan, where Christianity represents less than half a percent of the population, presents logistical and social difficulties for Church missions.
As the new vicar apostolic of Quetta, Archbishop Shaw will be tasked with shepherding a fragmented and often marginalized Catholic population amid widespread poverty and security concerns. His reappointment, viewed by some as a second chance and by others as a test of Vatican oversight, underscores persistent tensions between forgiveness and accountability within the Church’s governance.
Whether these appointments signal renewal or repetition remains uncertain. But what is clear is that both leaders now stand at the center of a moment that could redefine the Pakistani Church’s credibility and direction in the years ahead.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
Related Images:
